Finding the right treatment center. Knowing what to ask the doctor. Seeking support groups. A newly diagnosed brain tumor or recurrence can be overwhelming. The ABTA is right alongside you to help empower and navigate this journey.
The new year brings new and updated resources to learn more about treatment and care decisions, and to receive personalized support.
The following are three resources from the ABTA for all brain tumor patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones to keep on hand.
New! Brain Tumor Treatment Center Online Search Tool
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking a second opinion, choosing a brain tumor treatment center is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. A new search tool from the ABTA helps patients and their loved ones make informed decisions about their treatment and care based on individual needs.
The Brain Tumor Treatment Center Guide, available on the ABTA website, provides detailed information on treatment facilities for primary and metastatic brain tumors. Each treatment center page offers valuable insight such as the number of patients treated annually, technologies and specialized procedures offered, supportive services available, and more.
Visitors can start their search by a specific hospital/institution, state of residence, or by zip code.
The first of its kind in the neuro-oncology space, this tool aims to simplify the process of evaluating treatment and care options — and empower patients to make an informed decision.
Patients are also encouraged to print off the ABTA Treatment Center Form as a guide while visiting different treatment facilities.
Metastatic Brain Tumors: Updated Research & Questions for Your Doctor
Most often spread from cancer in the lung, breast, skin, kidney, and colon, metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of brain tumors among adults with previous cancer diagnoses. And patients are often met with a very different set of treatment challenges.
An updated ABTA Metastatic Brain Tumors Educational Brochure can help patients navigate their unique journey as they develop a specialized course of treatment with their neuro-oncologist.
This comprehensive, 26-page brochure can help patients self-identify with a specific cancer and brain tumor type. The updates offer the latest research and treatment options for metastatic brain tumors, as well as a list of specific questions to ask their doctor.
The Metastatic Brain Tumor Educational Brochure can be ordered as a hard copy free of charge for patients and caregivers, along with more than a dozen other educational brochures on the ABTA website.
Click below to access the newly-updated Metastatic Brain Tumor Brochure.
ABTA CareLine: Personalized Brain Tumor Support a Call Away
Personalized help and support for brain tumor patients and caregivers is just a phone call away. The ABTA CareLine is staffed by a team of caring professionals who serve hundreds of patients, survivors, and caregivers each year.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, seeking treatment, caring for a loved one with a brain tumor, or experiencing a recurrence, the CareLine can meet patients where they’re at in their journey.
Five of the most common CareLine inquiries are for:
Information about treatment/care, brain tumor types
Social support resources
Treatment center options
Financial assistance & resources
Clinical trials
However, ABTA CareLine staff are able to address and offer resources on a range of topics impacting your brain tumor journey.
ABTA CareLine staff are available Toll-Free at 800-886-ABTA (2282), Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.
If you prefer, the CareLine is also available via email at info@abta.org, or via this ABTA webpage.
Jessie Schlacks
Jessie is Managing Editor of the bi-monthly e-newsletter MindMatters. Submit story ideas or questions to jschlacks@abta.org.
